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SAFEST ROUTE | 



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ON THE 


♦ ♦ ♦ 


r?3/ 

: 577 

Spokane Overland Route. 


You pay no fares, no freight rates, no exorbi¬ 
tant prices to get over passes. 

You go over this route to Klondike the way your 
father went to California and Pike’s Peak; but there 
are no hostile Indians, no desolate deserts, no lofty 
mountain ranges to cross. 

You travel over this route through a gold belt 
all the way from Spokane to Klondike. 

You will find along the Spokane route abundant 
forage for horses, plenty of fish and game for your¬ 
self, and supply posts all the way to the headwaters 
of the Yukon. 

You will find the Spokane route the shortest way 
to the new strikes on the Hootalinqua, Pelly and 
Lewes rivers. No dangerous rapids to run. 

The old boys—the boys of ’49, the boys who 
know, are going to the Klondike, and to better than 
Klondike, by this route. 


All questions concerning the route will be an¬ 
swered and accurate information on all matters con¬ 
nected with it will be cheerfully furnished by the 
secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Spokane, 

Wash, 


1 ~ 





GOflST ROUTES OVERCROWDED. 


The Spokane Overland Route is 
the Only Route to the Klondike 
that can never be Congested 
with travel. 


Already word comes from the cities on the coast 
and from the camps at Dyea and Skaguay that crowds 
are gathering and long before spring opens there will 
be such a rush over the coast routes that only a small 
per cent of those who attempt to get through that 
way can hope to succeed. 

The man who undertakes to reach Dawson City 
by way of St. Michael’s is more than likely to find 
himself stranded for the winter on a Yukon sand 
bar. 

The gold seeker who tackles Chilcoot or White 
pass is likely to find the crush so great and the 
charges for packing so excessive that he will have to 
give up the trip in despair. 

The Spokane route is a broad overland route, 
through a grassy valley and a summer journey 
through the north country has vastly more of pleas¬ 
ure than hardship in it. There is feed for all the, 
horses that can be put on the trail and there are 
horses enough in the vicinity of Spokane to supply all 
who will take the Spokane route. 

No overburdened vessel will carry you to a watery 
grave on the Spokane route. 

No frowning pass will block your way and cause 
you to regret your journey on the Spokane route. 

No deadly rapids will wreck your boat and destroy 
your supplies on the Spokane route. 

It is the easy route, the sale route, and the! 
only open route to the Klondike and other northerni 
gold fields. 



SPOKANE TO KLONDIKE 


The Cheapest, Easiest, and Safest 
Road to the Gold 
Fields. 


There is a road to the Klondike that is not beset 
with peril to man and beast, that is hundreds of dol¬ 
lars cheaper than any other, and that traverses many 
miles of mining country that promises to yield as 
richly as any of the famous tributaries of the Yu¬ 
kon. 

This is the Spokane route. It has been aptly 
called the Prairie Route. A man may mount his 
horse in Spokane and ride every foot of the way to 
the headwaters of the Yukon. He crosses no moun¬ 
tain range and therefore escapes the horrors of the 
passes. More than half the way he rides over a well 
traveled road, and the remainder of the route is over 
a trail cut out over 30 years ago by the Western 
Union Telegraph Company. Farm houses, trading 
posts and Indian villages are found all along the 
route, feed is everywhere abundant for horses and 
starvation cannot overtake the prospector, for supply 
centers are close at hand. 

Such in brief is the Spokane route, the sunshine 
route to the Klondike and to better things than 
Klondike. 



4 


Through the Great Continental 
Valley. 

Stretching throughout the length of the continent, 
from Mexico to the Arctic ocean, is a great valley 
lying between the coast range of mountains and the 
Rockies. Spokane is in this valley and so is the 
Klondike. It follows, therefore, that the man who 
travels over the Spokane route will pass through a 
valley country all the way. This valley is the favored 
portion of the continent. From its southernmost limit 
to Arctic waters it is pre-eminently the mineral belt 
of North America. Within it all the great gold 
strikes of the century have been made, and still there 
remains half of it unprospected. It is through this 
portion that the Spokane route lies; a portion that 
cannot be reached with ease or economy by any other 
route, and a region where it is an absolute fact that 
gold is found in every stream. 

Look at the map. What man would not under¬ 
take a journey across a pleasant country where he 
can turn his horse's head for home any day he be¬ 
comes dissatisfied, rather than to undergo the hard¬ 
ship of climbing a steep and rocky pass where the 
large majority of those who have attempted to get 
over have failed? 

Not a New and Untried Route. 

The Spokane Route is not a new thing. Wagon 
roads from Spokane to Ashcroft are well traveled, are 
in good condition and have been so for years. From 
Ashcroft, B. C., to Quesnelle there is a government 
stage road 220 miles in length, which has been trav- 


5 


eled for many years, and over which stages make 
regular trips every week, carrying the mails to the 
mining camps and trading posts of the north country. 
,From Quesnelle to Telegraph creek the route is over 
tthe historic telegraph trail, which was cut in 1866, 
before the Atlantic cable had proved successful, and 
when there was a scheme on foot to connect the con¬ 
tinent with the old world by way of Alaska and 
Bering straits. The line was strung part way when 
the news came that the cable had been laid across 
the Atlantic in safety, and the work in the north 
was abandoned. Since the 60’s the trail has been in 
use by pack trains and Indians, and it is better to¬ 
day than hundreds of the trails in the mining regions 
of our own country. Such repairs as it needs are be¬ 
ing made by the government of the province. 

It has been arranged that a party shall commence 
work transforming the telegraph trail into a wagon 
road, starting north from Quesnelle as soon as the 
snow is off. Another party will work south from 
Hazelton and another will work north from that 
point. Still another party will start south on the 
same mission from Telegraph creek. All these work¬ 
ing in unison should hasten the road to completion. 
It will be an easy matter, for the country is all open 
and the Telegraph trail is cut out broad and clear 
across it. There will be no engineering difficulties. 
When this work is done a wagon may be driven all 
the way from Spokane to the headwaters of the Yu¬ 
kon. 

From Telegraph creek to Lake Teslin, the head¬ 
waters of the Yukon, there is a good trail which 
will be transformed into a first-class wagon road in 


6 


the early spring. As it is the intention of the Can 
adian Pacific railway to construct a telegraph line tc 
Dawson City in the spring from Quesnelle, where 
the line now ends, they will open the entire route 
as a wagon road. 

Down Lake and River to Dawsor 
City. 

Down the water ways to Dawson City is an eas 
voyage down stream all the way with only the Fiv 
Finger rapids to run and any good boatman can pas 
through them safely. Sawmills are in operation o 
Teslin lake, and boats, it is believed, will be less ex 
pensive there than on the lakes reached by way of th| 
mountain passes, as timber is more plentiful. 

All the recent strikes have been made up th< 
river from Dawson, among the latest reported bein< 
some wonderful finds on the Hootalinqua, which i 
the outlet of Teslin lake and is by some geographer; 
considered a part of the Yukon river itself. Thes< 
strikes are readily reached by going down Lak< 
Teslin in the Hootalinqua river. They canno 
be reached by the coast routes with one-tenth part 6 
the ease attending travel by the Spokane route. 

The Great Cassiar Gold Belt. 

Many may not care to go so far north. The^ 
may turn aside into the great Cassiar gold distric 
traveling over well defined trails all the way. Gol 
silver, copper—in fact mineral of almost every kir 
is to be found in this great district. It has be< 
prospected but slightly for placer gold yet many ric 




7 


strikes have been made. Its hills are still untouched 
by the quartz prospector. Men who have traveled 
through that region and whose veracity is unques¬ 
tioned, say that colors of gold may be obtained in 
any pan of dirt taken from the streams of the Cas- 
siar. 

A Mineral Belt all the Way. 

But one need not travel so far noth to find op¬ 
portunity for prospecting. The Spokane route lies 
; through a mineral belt all the way. Leaving Spokane 
one may pass through the Colville reservation, where 
hundreds of rich claims have been lately located and 
where many more a’yait the prospector. Or one 
may reach the Canadian line through the equally 
famous Okanogan mining district, where he will see 
the signs of shaft and tunnel on every hillside. Pass¬ 
ing into British territory, the traveler finds himself 
in the world-famous Kootenay country which is pro¬ 
ducing millions in gold, silver and copper. Oppor¬ 
tunities for the prospector are not lacking here within 
the reach of steam transportation and the con¬ 
veniences of civilization. 

Between Ashcroft and Quesnelle one passes into 
| the Cariboo country, made famous in early days by 
its wonderful yield of placer gold. Its streams still 
sive riches to the miner and its wealth is yet to be 
! learned in its fullest extent. 

Farther to the north and east the Peace river 
• gold fields may attract the treasure seeker. There 
are many streams yet unexplored and the belief is 
general that rich diggings will be found in that re- 


8 


gion, a belief that is strengthened by rich finds al¬ 
ready made. 

The Omenica district, still farther north, is 
reached from the Spokane route. It has been scratch¬ 
ed over enough to prove that abundance of wealth is 
there. Indeed, many claims that paid from $5 to $10 
per day were abandoned in the early days when men 
wanted fabulous returns for their toil. Many of these 
will be found profitable when the rush goes north 
this season. Conditions have improved since the 60’s 
and what would have been a profitless claim in those 
days of high prices for supplies will prove rich enough 
to work in 1898. 

North Country is Not a Wilder^ 
ness. 

Contrary to general belief, the country traversed 
by the Spokane route is not a wilderness, neither is it 
a frigid region. The warm breezes from the Japan 
current make the temperature of this valley much 
more equable than many portions of Canada near the 
international boundary line. The result is that 
ranches are plentiful along the greater portion of the 
trail, and the immense tracts of grazing lands make 
the raising of cattle a profitable industry. Feed is 
abundant after the first of May, and even earlier in 
some of the valleys along the rivers. It is possible 
to travel with a pack train as late as November 15, 
with the horses getting their own feed. The feed is 
blue joint grass, bunch grass and pea vine. The latter 
grows in the timber and horses thrive upon it. 

Traveling earlier than April, feed must be carried 


9 


after leaving Quesnelle. From Spokane to Quesnelle 
hay and grain can be bought plentifully and reason¬ 
ably. In the grazing season there will be ample feed 
for all horses throughout the length of the overland 
route to Teslin lake. 


Spokane the Natural Outfitting 
Point. 

Spokane is the natural starting and outfitting 
point for those who go over this route. Situated in 
the center of the greatest mining region in the west, 
this city is accustomed to outfitting prospectors and is 
prepared to furnish supplies at prices that will leave 
money in the pockets of the purchaser. Duty must 
be paid at the boundary line on a part of the outfit, 
but the Canadian tariff laws are liberal to the pros¬ 
pector. Much of the stuff is admitted free. 

The best evidence that Spokane is the cheapest 
place in which to buy is found in the fact that the 
supplies for the mines of the Kootenay mining di¬ 
visions of British Columbia are largely furnished by 
this city, the mining companies finding it cheaper to 
buy their supplies here than to purchase in British 
Columbia, even though duty must be paid in the 
former case. 

There has never been a complaint of over¬ 
charge or unfair treatment of prospectors crossing the 
line on the part of the collectors of Canadian cus¬ 
toms. While the average duty on supplies and horses 
is 30 per cent, so large a portion is admitted without 
charge that the duty is not excessive. 


10 


Room for All on the Spokane 
Route. 

Estimating that the tramways over Chilcoot and 
White passes will be able to do all that their owners 
claim and that the facilities for packing will permit 
more men to get over that way than last year, and 
reckoning that there will be a six months’ season, 
which is improbable, it cannot be figured that more 
than 36,000 men can get in over those passes. Giving 
every transportation line credit for being able to do 
all it claims, it is impossible to figure that all who 
have already engaged transportation via St. Michaels 
can reach Dawson City. It is conceded that 250,000 
gold seekers intend to go north in the spring. They 
cannot all go via the coast. In fact, not more than 
one-fourth of the crowd can get in over ocean routes. 

There will be no crowding on the Spokane route. 
There is room for all the thousands who have the de¬ 
sire for gold. And it is the cheapest route. There 
is no ocean voyage with its attendant expense and 
inconvenience. There is no mountain pass to be sur¬ 
mounted at the peril of life and limb and at a costj 
of 25 cents to 40 cents per pound for transporting- 
freight. In short, the man who goes over the Spokane 
route is at the mercy of no transportation company, 
is his own master at every stage of the journey and 
may control his own expenses. The man who care¬ 
fully selects his outfit will have little need for monejj 
while traveling over the Spokane route. There are « 
few ferries, but the charges are nominal. The lardeil 
may be replenished with farm produce a large part o! 
the way 








11 


Stop off in Spokane. 

Passengers on any of the railways passing through 
ipokane, traveling on second-class or tourist tickets, 
lay secure the privilege of stopping over in Spokane 
:>r Hn days if they so desire. It will he profitable 
o do so. Spokane is a thriving city with many nat- 
tral advantages. It is an ideal place for the invest- 
aent of capital and a Klondiker may find all desire 
or the northern trip removed by stopping to investi¬ 
gate the city by the falls. 

At any rate, it will pay the traveler bound for 
Klondike to stop off in Spokane and investigate the 
nerits of the overland route. He will Imd men in 
Spokane who have been over the route and who can 
five him information concerning it acquired from 
ictual experience. But better still, he will find that 
he merchants of Spokane can outfit him for Klondike 
10 matter whether he travel by land or sea, 20 per 
;ent cheaper than on the coast. 

Ten days spent in Spokane will not prove expen- 
ive and the visitor will be pleased with his stay in the 
ity. It will save him dollars. 




TABLE OF DISTANCES 


From point to Point on the roads 
and trails between Spokane 
and Dawson City. 


There are several routes from Spokane to Ash¬ 
croft. One may ship his outfit by rail via the Spo¬ 
kane Falls & Northern and the Canadian Pacific rail¬ 
way. Many,- however, will prefer to take the over¬ 
land trip, owing to the trouble and expense attending 
the shipment of horses by rail. Horses are not to be 
had across the line. They must be taken from Spo¬ 
kane and neighboring towns. 

The traveler may choose several routes overland. 
He may travel across the Colville Indian reservation, 
the north half of which is open to mineral locations. 
He will pass over new roads that are well built and 
will go through the new and lively mining camp of 
Eureka, or he may go through the equally famous 
Okanogan mining district and reach Ashcroft and the 
Cariboo road with equal ease. Still another trail, not 
a wagon road, leads through the valley of the Similka- 
meen, which is a prospector’s paradise. Other routes 
may be taken with equal facility, including the 
roads leading through Marcus and Northport, 
Wash., and Grand Forks, B. C. 

By the route through the Colville reservation, the 


following distances are given: 

Miles. 

Spokane to Kettle Falls. 

. 99 ! 

Kettle Falls to Eureka camp. 

. 32 

Eureka camp to Pentictoq .. 

. 67 


198 








13 


Penticton is on Lake Okanogan and a steamer 
runs on the lake which will carry the traveler and his 
outfit 70 miles up the lake if he wish to take advan¬ 
tage of it. Otherwise he may take a trail up the west 
side of the lake. Penticton is also reached via Daven¬ 
port and Wilbur and the following is the table of dis¬ 


tances. 

Spokane to Davenport.36 

To Wilbur.20 

To Wild Goose Bill’s ferry . 26 

To Oroville.28 

To Fairview. 11 

To Penticton .30 

From Spokane.176 


From Penticton to Ashcroft via Vemon is 130 
miles, making a total distance from Spokane to Ash¬ 
croft of 306 to 328 miles. 

At Ashcroft the Cariboo road is struck and the 
distances from that point on to Dawson City as reck¬ 
oned by the best authorities are as follows: 

Miles. 


Spokane to Ashcroft. 306 

Ashcroft to Clinton .40 

To Lake La Hache. 70 

To Soda Creek . 40 

To Alexandria.30 

To Quesnelle.40 

From Spokane. 526 


Quesnelle is also reached via Kamloops, a station 
on the C. P. R. east of Ashcroft. Roads and trails 
are equally as good and the distance about the same 
as via Ashcroft. 

Beyond Quesnelle the distances are: 


Quesnelle to Blackwater . 35 

To Mud river.. 10 


















14 


To Nechaco River valley. 40 

To Fort Fraser. 15 

To Summit. 65 

To Granite Post.40 

To Hazel ton. 60 

From Spokane.791 

Hazelton to Babine river. 30 

To Chewean river. 40 

To Konigees river . 50 

To Iskoot river. 65 

To Telegraph creek. 55 

From Spokane. 1031 

To Teslin lake. 108 

To Dawson City. 550 


From Spokane 


1689 



















UNDISPUTED EVIDENCE 


A. L. Poudrier, Dominion Land Sur= 
veyor has Surveyed the Spokane 
Route to the Klondike and 
Declares it Feasible. 


The best evidence concerning the nature of the 
Spokane overland route must come from men who 
have been over it. No man is better qualified to speak 
of the route than A. L. Poudrier, Dominion Land 
Surveyor, who has spent years in the north country 
and who was at the head of a surveying party that 
surveyed the territory all the way to Teslin lake. He 
is familiar with every foot of the trail, and his signed 
statement may be taken as an authentic account of 
the route from Ashcroft to the Yukon. The routes 
from Spokane to Ashcroft are, of course, out of his 
province, but are fully described in this pamphlet by 
others who are acquainted with them. 


A. L. Poudrier’s Story of the 
Route. 

Hobson, B. C., Oct. 6.—The government of British 
Columbia has spent many thousands of dollars dur¬ 
ing the last eight or nine years in exploring and sur¬ 
veying the north of the province, and, although the 




16 


work is not quite completed, the portion more nearly 
related to the Yukon country is fairly well known. 

Having been employed during several years at 
this work, it has been my good fortune to travel many 
times through that great valley which begins at the 
Fraser river and reaches the source of the Yukon, 
that is, Teslin lake. The valley of the Yukon is sim¬ 
ply a continuation of that cut, and no doubt, in the far 
ages, this king of streams was much longer than it 
now is. 

As many intend to go to Alaska in the spring, 
starting from Spokane via Ashcroft, a description of 
the route may prove of interest. I will say nothing of 
the first part of the road, as Ashcroft may be reached 
either by rail or overland from Washington. 

There is a first-class wagon road, 220 miles in 
length, from Ashcroft to Quesnelle Mouth. This road 
is in perfect order, and a stage line as regular in its 
time card as any railway makes the round trip every 
week. The land is fairly settled along the whole dis¬ 
tance, and farm houses and regular stopping places 
are met at short intervals. For those who travel with 
their own pack horses, free feed is plentiful all along. 

Quesnelle Mouth is a small town on the banks oi 
the Fraser. It has a first-class grist mill. The Fraser 
has to be crossed here, and there is a good ferry. One 
has now reached the gold country of the Cariboo ex¬ 
citement, and at Quesnelle the banks of the Fraser 
have been washed and rewashed. This, too, is the be¬ 
ginning of the old Telegraph trail, and in many places 
the wire can still be seen strung up or lying along the 
wayside. 


17 

A Rolling Country==No High 
Mountains. 

The country from Quesnelle to the Nechaco valley 
and Fraser lake, a distance of 140 miles, may be gen¬ 
erally described as a rolling country, with no high 
mountains, covered with a growth of short poplars, 
birch and black pine, nearly all of second growth; 
only a few tall trees of the old original forest are 
to be seen. 

The trail crosses many small streams and fol¬ 
lows the banks of numerous lakes, where rich mea¬ 
dows and open glades give the richest of food for 
animals on nearly all parts of the trail. When the 
water is high, one stream, called Chillacco, or Mud 
river, gives trouble. That is at the end of June or 
early in July. Only one other stream of consequence 
is met; that is the Blackwater, and is crossed on a 
»ood bridge. 

On reaching the Nechaco valley, rich meadows 
—which will be the farms of the future—are tra¬ 
versed by the trail along beautiful lakes, where many 
Indians are living. The Nechaco is crossed to reach 
Fort Fraser, a Hudson Bay post and large Indian 
village. 

From Fort Fraser the trail follows the south 
bank of Fraser lake for 12 miles, through a rich, roll¬ 
ing, park-like country; and the stream emptying Lac 
:lu Francais into Fraser river is crossed near the vil- 
age of Nadina. The ford is easy. The Indians of this 
part are called “Carriers,” and are good, hospitable 
md honest. 


18 


Wide Valleys with much Open 
Land. 

From Nadina the trail follows the valley of tl 
Endako, which empties into the Stellaeo at Stell 
It is a wide valley, with much open land and bunc 
grass, good for farming and grazing. 

The distance from Stella to Hazelton, on tl 
Skeena, is ICO miles. After reaching the source of tl 
Endako the trail enters the valley of the Bulkley, 
Hagwilget river, falling into the Skeena. This valh 
is similar to the Endako, with broad meadows; bea 
tiful, open, grassy slopes; light, park-like woods fi 
of small fruits in season. The streams and many lak 
are full of fish—salmon, trout, char and two or thr 
other kinds. Small game is plentiful all the way 
Quesnelle. Grouse, ducks and geese are abundant 
season, while rabbits, and deer are scarce. Bears a 
most common, especially in the Endako and BulkL 
valleys, where black, brown and grizzly bears are m 
every day. 

This road is not far from the Omeniea gold fielc 
and gold is found on almost every creek along t 
trail from Fraser lake, though no very rich grou 
has ever been struck. It is quite possible, howev' 
that some of the small streams might give good 
suits to the prospector. 

Hazelton is a Supply Point. 

Hazelton is a Hudson Bay post, Indian agency a 
mission post. The Hudson Bay Company stean 
Caledonia makes occasional trips from the sea. Si 


19 


es of all kinds can be purchased at this point, as 
is partly the rendezvous of the miners working in 
leniea. The river can be crossed with canoes, and 
i horses have to swim. Horses are fairly abundant 
*e, nearly every Indian owning one or more. 

Hazelton was the last point where the wire was 
etched for the telegraph company. From here the 
til follows the Skeena for 12 miles to the Indian 
lage of Kyspyox, and there two routes can be 
cen—one, the longest, follows the Skeena to the 
lian village of Kuldo and then goes northerly to 
3 Chean-Wean, a branch of the Nasse river. The 
?t part of this trail—that is, as far as Kuldo—is 
rly well traveled. 

For a big expedition the better road is to follow 
3 Kyspyox ^ river to its source. From there the 
II ey is occupied by two branches of the Nasse river, 
3 Koniscees and Chean-Wean. Thence the trail fol- 
vs two branches of the Iskoot, a large stream fall- 
* into the Stickeen. The main branch of the Iskoot 
called the Ningumsa. From this stream the trail 
ikes a small river called the First South branch of 
e Stickeen. At the mouth of this the Stickeen is 
>ssed by swimming the horses. Telegraph creek and 
enora are quite close. 

From Fraser lake to Glenora the distance is 278 
les. The country here is similar in appearance to 
3 portion just described. Game is plentiful, feed 
rnmon, and open land often met with. 

The navigation from the sea on the Stickeen 

Glenora is easy, and there are, I believe, two 
;amers running continually. Telegraph creek is a 
od point to obtain supplies, and it was easy to 


20 


find packers there, but one can not say how the e:; 
citement and the rush to the Yukon may have ai 
fected the place. 

From Glenora to Teslin lake, by the pack trai 
was 130 miles. They are now cutting a wagon roa 
and surveying a railroad for the Canadian Pacifh 
and large trains will be employed all winter freightin 
goods and machinery to the lake, and this winte 
will be a very busy season. 

Abundant Horse Feed all the Way 

The country north of the Stickeen is perhaps 
little more wooded than farther south, but, nevertlu 
less, food for horses is very abundant. Gfold is foun 
in nearly every stream, and on the Thulton and Dodt 
donto rich prospects have been located. 

Teslin lake is a very beautiful sheet of wate 
from two to six miles in width and about 80 mile 
in length. The shores are not high and are genei 
ally covered with the same short growth of tree 
which characterizes all of the interior plateaus. ± 
saw mill has lately been built at the lake, and severe 
steamers will be constructed during the winter. Th 
navigation from the lake to Dawson City is oper 
there being only one rapid, which is not of muc' 
importance. 

The river coming out of Lake Teslin is calle 
the Hootalinqua, and then the Lewes to the poin 
where the Pelly reaches it, at old Fort Selkirl 
where it takes the name of Yukon. I believe thi 
is wrong. The Hootalinqua and Lewes are, by fa: 



21 


the largest feeders of the Yukon; they are also in the 
same line of direction. Therefore, according to the 
rules of physical geography, it should be called the 
1 ukon, and leslin lake is its source. 

Two noted gold fields are known in New Cale¬ 
donia—the Omenica, north of Fraser lake, and the 
Cassiar, which begins at Telegraph creek. Large 
imounts have been taken from this locality. In Omen- 
ca powerful companies have started hydraulic mining 
on a large scale, and no doubt the same will be done 
in Cassiar. People with experience in that line and 
with sufficient capital do not need to go as far as 
[lie Yukon. Cassiar offers as rich a prize as Klon- 
like to the hydraulic miner. 

Large Tracts Still Unprospected. 

Large tracts are not yet prospected at all, even 
or placers, and nothing whatever has been done in 
he line of quartz mining. It is known that rich de¬ 
bits of galena ore occur on the Skeena, and rich cop- 
>er ore is to be found on the Stickeen and on Tes- 
in lake. Native copper has been mined for ages by 
he Indians from this locality, and has been ham- 
nered into shields used for currency, which can yet 
>e obtained. 

There is no doubt that the road from the sea to 
.’elegraph creek, by the Stickeen, will be largely used 
ext spring; and as the great field for prospecting will 
e the upper Yukon, Teslin lake should be a busy spot 
ext year. 

For those who wish to take horses or cattle the 
ay I have described from Quesnelle offers no dan- 




22 


gers of any sort, no difficulties. Far from it, it is one 
of the most pleasant trails to travel, and I have re¬ 
membrance of many happy days employed riding gaily 
along and camping at night loaded with small game. 
With such a climate during spring, summer and au¬ 
tumn, it is easy to forgive a few weeks of cold 
weather. 

A. L. POUDRIER, 

Dominion Surveyor. 

The Prospector’s Route to the 
Klondike. 

The Spokane route to the Klondike and the north¬ 
ern gold fields has been called the “Prospector's Route” 
because there are opportunities for prospecting al¬ 
most every mile of the distance. It follows, therefore, 
that the evidence of a prospector, pacxer and guide 
who has traveled over the route and who looks at it 
from a prospector’s standpoint is valuable. The fol¬ 
lowing affidavit from W. T. Wren, a man who has 
spent his life since boyhood on the trails of the north¬ 
west, may be taken as an accurate description of the 
route. Persons desiring additional information from 
Mr. Wren on the subject may address him in care of 
the Chamber of Commerce, Spokane. Following is his 
affidavit: 

“W. T. Wren, being duly sworn, on oath deposes 
and says: 

“I am a citizen of the United States and resident 
of Northport, Wash., being temporarily at Spokane, 
Wash. 

“Tbfit I follow the business of guide to prospect- 


23 


ors, and also that of prospecting. I have lately re¬ 
turned over the overland route from Telegraph Creek, 
N. W. T., to Spokane, Wash., being the same route 
herein referred to as the “Spokane overland route to 
Klondike.” 

“I left Northport, Wash., in the spring of 1897 with 
a number of prospectors for Grand Forks, B. C. From 
there we went to Greenwood City, Midway, Rock 
Creek, Camp McKinney and, Fairview, B. C. 

An Easy Trip to Telegraph Creek. 

“Leaving Fairview, we crossed the mountains to 
the Similkameen river, and from there to Keremeos 
postoffice, then to Penticton, thence across over the 
trail to Ashcroft, B. C., after which we followed up 
the trail to Telegraph Creek Camp, at which place we 
arrived the latter part of August, 1897, with an In¬ 
dian half-breed, four pack horses and two saddle 
horses. We remained there about ten days and left 
on September 12, and returned over the same route 
to Ashcroft and from there by way of trail on the 
west shore of Okanogan lake to Penticton, thence to 
Camp McKinney, Grand Forks and Northport, being 
32 days on the return trip. I left my pack horses at 
Okanogan and came from there with one saddle horse. 

“In regard to the condition of the trail, the char¬ 
acter of the country through which it passes, the ad¬ 
vantages and obstacles one meets, I noted the follow¬ 
ing: 

“The route from Spokane to Quesnelle, a distance 
of about 605 miles, is over a first class wagon road. 
From there on to Telegraph creek it is what I would 






24 


term in most places a fair pack trail and with sligh 
work in a few places, by the building of a few corduro; 
roads and cutting an easier grade over part of the sum 
mit, the same could be termed a first class pack trai 

Fish and Game Along the Route. 

“Taking up the trail in detail, I would say tha 
from Quesnelle to Black Water there is a good trai 
for pack horses, after which the next 15 miles is some 
what hilly. Descending, you come to Mud river, wher 
it is mucky and boggy for about one mile, and need 
a corduroy road. You have to swim Mud river, 
stream about two-thirds the width of the Spokan 
river, but the current is not swift. There is good fee 
along this section, and we saw considerable game an 
numerous flocks of ducks. After crossing we proceec 
ed 60 miles over level country, where there was 
great deal of feed and watered by numerous sma 
lakes, which are filled with fish. Here we also saw 
great deal of small game and a few blacktail deer. 

“The trail over this strip of country was fine, an 
brought us to the Nechaco valley, where we followe 
the west side of the Nechaco river 20 miles to Foi 
Fraser, on the same side of the river, over a firs 
class trail, after which we went around the northwes 
end of Fraser lake to the summit of the mountain, 
distance of about 85 miles. The last half of this dim 
was up a steep grade. The country is covered wit 
pine grass, and although not rough, it is heavily tin 
bered, with considerable fallen timber and unde 
brush across the trail, so that we were forced to eirc 
round in order to strike the trail further on. 


25 


‘•From the summit it is an easy trail for the next 
0 miles down the slope to Granite Post, with plenty 
f feed for horses. At Granite Post there is an old 
ludson Bay store and a few Indian huts. There is 
Iso a place near by about the same size called Stella. 

From Granite Post to Hazelton we passed over 
n almost level country, on which tnere is little or no 
imher, and where feed for horses is abundant and 
he trail first class. 


No Difficulties at any Point on 
the Trail. 

“Striking the Chewean river, which was about five 
;et deep and from 150 to 175 feet wide, we forded 
without much difficulty, and traveled northeast 
aout 50 miles over a high plateau, good trail and 
ed, until we came to the Kunigees river, which we 
rded near its source, after which we struck out over 
good trail of 70 miles over a strip of country al- 
ost level, to the Iskoot river, which is a small 
ream, easily forded. 

“From there we struck Telegraph creek and fol- 
wed it about 60 miles north to Telegraph creek 
mp, over a trail that is easy and a little down grade, 
id being plenty and Indian settlements numerous 
t along the route from the Kunigees river. 

“After leaving the summit the entire route to Tele- 
aph creek camp is crossed by numerous small 
reams which abound in fish, and the country is full 
small game. 

“Going in we had splendid weather and traveled 




26 


in our shirt sleeves during the entire time, except £ 
few days when it rained. Coming out the weathei 
generally was bright and clear though colder. W< 
had several foggy, rainy days near Hazelton, anc 
some snow at the summit. The time taken for th< 
trip was 32 days. 

“The Indians along the entire trail are friendly anc 
work very cheaply. The other side of Quesnelle it ii 
necessary to camp most of the time, but on this sid» 
there are plenty of stopping places with the native 
every 12 or 20 miles. 


Details of the AIDLand Route. 

If I were left to select an all-land route from Spc 
kane to Telegraph creek camp I would take the fol 
lowing: 

Leaving Spokane I would go to Davenport an 
from there to Wilbur, through a well settled country 
a distance of 56 miles; from there 26 miles through 
good country to Wild Goose Bill’s ferry, on the C( 
lumbia river; crossing there on a good ferry, I woul 
cut across the country to the Okanoga 
river, then follow the river 28 miles to Oroville, an 
cross the Similkameen river on a bridge and go nort 
11 miles to Fairview. leaving it one mile to my lef 
thence 30 miles to Penticton, leaving it one and a ha 
miles to my right, then travel 35 miles on the wei 
side of Okanogan lake to Lambley’s landing; fro 
there 35 miles further to Vernon, along the west sic 
of Lake Okanogan, or you can ship on the lake steam 
from Penticton to Vernon. Leaving Vernon thr 
miles to my right I would go ovu a good trail 


2 ? 


miles to Ashcroft, and from there on as before given. 
The above distance of 360 miles would be over a good 
road with the exception of 70 miles on the west side 
of Lake Okanogan, w T hich is a good trail. 

I believe if a man were forced to make a quick 
trip he could go from Ashcroft to Telegraph creek 
camp on a saddle horse in 25 days. A pack train 
could likely leave Spokane in the early spring and 
make the trip in 45 days. 

W. T. WREN. 

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3d day 
of December, 1897. 

G. W. STOCKER, 
Notary Public for Washington, 
residing at Spokane, Wash. 





PRICES OF SUPPLIES. 


Spokane is the Cheapest Plao 
for Klondike Outfits and 
Supplies. 


The Chamber of Commerce is in receipt of cor 
stant inquiries from all parts of the country as to th 
price of supplies in Spokane. It may be stated as 
fact beyond contradiction that Spokane undersells th 
coast cities on almost every article that a prospecto 
needs and has a better assortment of supplies, as th 
city has been the headquarters for prospectors fo 
many years and her ueamrs have gained experience i: 
the outfitting business. 

No two prospectors will select exactly the sam 
outfits, the articles that one considers necessaries b( 
ing regarded as luxuries by another. With a vie' 
of covering the entire ground the following list ha 
been carefully prepared after conferring with the dea 
ers of the city. It must be understood, however, tha 
much of the goods here mentioned are subject to th 
usual market fluctuations, although no changes of an 
consequence are likely. 

Spokane is prepared to outfit all the thousanc 
who will go over this route and the prices will t 
such that money will be saved even though duty mui 
be paid at the line. Many outfits have been sold j 
Spokane to men who have found it cheaper to bn 
here and ship to the coast rather than to buy in tl 
seaport towns where excessive demand has stiffem 
prices abnormally. 




29 


HORSES. 


he supply of horses for pack trains will be ample 
-■r all who come as the ranges of this and surrounding 
-ates are covered with horses. Prices have a wide 
rnge owing t° the quality of the norse. Prom $15 
! $20 may be stated as a fair average for an animal 
proper weight for a long trip across country. Cay- 
ses may be bought for less than the lower figure 
nd the best grade of horses may command a higher 
nee. The price is not likely to vary much, as the 
ipply is almost unlimited. 


TOOLS AND HARDWARE. 


aid pan. 

'hetstones. 

'ospector’s pick . 

hipsaw with bob and tillar 

sh lines and hooks. 

easuring tape, 50 to 900 feet 
ie man saw, 4 to 4£ feet.. 

ovel. 

ilf dozen assorted files.... 

awing knife. 

ace and three bits. 

ttcher knife . 

cket knife. 

t of awls and tools. 

:ch, per pound. 

life and fork . 

rge granite spoon. 

anite cups or plates, each 
ring pan. 


. ..$ 50 

•.. 5 to 10 

85 
4 50 
.. 25 to 50 
.. 35 to 60 
2 75 
.. 60 to 1 25 
50 to 1 00 
65 to 75 
1 00 to 1 35 
15 to 35 
50 to 1 50 
35 to 85 
05 
10 
12 
12 

15 to 25 
























30 


Dutch oven . 90 to ] 

Galvanized pails. 

Pick and handle.. 

Hatchet. 50 to 

Scissors . 50 to ] 

Gold scales .1 75 to i 

Money belt. 50 to ] 

Hand saw . 65 to 1 

Nails, per pound. 

Ax and handle. 75 to ] 

Jack plane. 60 to 

Three chisels. 75 to ! 

Hunting knife .. 75 to ! 

Compass. 25 to 1 

Pope, per pound. 

Oakum, per pound . . . .. 

Half dozen spoons. 

Bread pans . 25 to 

Coffee pot. 30 to 

Camp stove. 3 0C 

TENTS, SADDLES AND SLEEPING BAGS. 

Wall tent, 8x10 .$ 

Wall tent, 10x12. 

Sleeping bag, sheepskin lined . 1 

Wool lined sleeping bag, warranted water¬ 
proof . 1 

Pack saddle, with collar and breeching, each.. 
Panniers, or pack bags for saddles, per pair. .. . 
Sleeping bags, lined with mountain goat fur, 

waterproof . 2 

Bed sheets, 7x15, made of duck, to .j used with j 



























31 


blankets, better in place of bag. 5 50 

Waterproof clothes-bag.1 00 to 5 00 

pparajoes, canvas, leather bound. 15 U0 

CLOTHING. 

ur caps .$ 1 50 to 5 00 

ur coa ts. 12 00 to 30 00 

Wool hose, extra heavy . 25 to 1 50 

fool half hose, extra heavy. 50 

Mackinaw coats, from. 3 00 up 

londike. pants. 2 00 to 3 50 

eather coats lined with sheep pelt. . 10 00 

uck coats lined with sheep pelt. ... 5 00 to 6 00 

eather coats lined with flannel.... 5 00 

uck coats, extra heavy, lined with 

rubber and wool. 3 50 

londike sweaters, extra heavy. 1 50 to 5 00 

xtra heavy Klondike underwear, per 

garment. 2 00 

itra heavy wool mits, per pair. 50 to 1 00 

iled hats . 25 to 50 

led coats.. 1 50 to 2 50 

ankets, extra heavy, per pair. 5 00 to 15 00 

GROCERIES. 

itter, per pound.$ 18 to 30 

iking powder. 25 to 40 

.ndles. 10 to 15 

>coa. 50 to 1 00 

>ffee . 12^ to 40 

jackers. 5 to 15 

,nned Eruits. 10 to 12£ 

lined Vegetables . 05 to 08 


























32 


Canned Meats. 10 to 12£ 

Canned Soups. 25 to 35 

Canned Milk. 10 to 12£ 

Flour, per barrel. 3 75 to475 

Corn meal, per 100 lbs. 1 40 to 1 50 

Rolled oats, per 100 lbs.2 15 to 2 25 

Beans . 02 to 03 

Evaporated Apples . 8^ to 10 

Peaches . 8 to 12£ 

Blackberries. 15 to 16 

Raspberries. 23 to 28 

Prunes. 05 to 08 

Apricots. 9* to 12£ 

Plums . 10 to 12£ 

Raisins. 05 to 08 

Currants. 12£ to 15 

Potatoes . 20 to 25 

Onions. 50 to 60 

Soup vegetables. 50 to 75 

Parsnips . 35 to 40 

Turnips. 35 to 40 

Rutabagas. 35 to 40 

Carrots. 35 to 40 

Cabbage. 80 to 1 0C 

Beets. 35 to 4( 

Pumpkins. 50 to 6( 

Rhubarb. 80 to 9( 

Squash. 60 to 7C 

Eggs, 1-lb tins. 1 25 to 1 5( 

Lard, per pound. 07 to 0! 

Hams, per pound. 09 to 1( 

Bacon, per pound. 06 to II 

Rice, per pound. 06 to 01 

Soap, per pound. 05 to 0 

Spices, per pound . 20 to 

Salt, per pound . (fh a*- O /v 01 to h i 

Syrup, per gallon. P 35 to i 

Sugar, per pound. 06£ to 

Tea, per pound.A .. 15 to 

Tobacco, per pound ........., ,rr . 25 to 

















































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All inquiries concerning the Spokane 
route will be promptly answered by the 
Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, 

Spokane, Wash. 


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